Story Highlights

LINCOLN, Neb. Minutes after his coach talked about defensive mistakes and mental breakdowns, sophomore guard Yogi Ferrell cut directly to what he thought was the more appropriate point.

The question was posed to Ferrell and senior forward Will Sheehey, standing outside their locker room in the aftermath of Thursday's 60-55 loss at Nebraska: What led to that defensive let-off? Ferrell raised his hand – he wanted to answer.

"I feel like guys on our team, they don't take pride in defense," Ferrell said pointedly. "We took pride in the first half, but in the second half, we had a letdown. If we don't take pride in our defense for the whole game, we won't win games."

Ferrell spoke calmly, but his frustration was palpable. So in control was Indiana in the first half Thursday that it took the Hoosiers (13-8, 3-5) almost the entire second half to give away their momentum, then their lead, then eventually the game.

The Huskers (11-9, 3-5) outscored Indiana 41-23 after halftime, shooting 52.4 percent from the floor. IU coach Tom Crean said his team was prepared for Nebraska's adjustments, most notably forcing the ball into the paint to pass it back out. That awareness didn't help.

"We were in control of the game," Crean said. "We had a pretty good idea of what they were gonna go to, and we kind of took the bait a little bit."

Indiana looked, if not beautiful, then at least coldly efficient in the first half. IU's lead climbed to 16 points, and the visitors led by 13 at halftime.

The Hoosiers' 2-3 zone shut down Nebraska guard Terran Petteway, who scored just five points on four shots in the opening 20 minutes. Without their leading scorer, the Huskers' offense stagnated, and they turned the ball over 11 times in the first half.

After halftime, Indiana went stale and cold offensively, and fell apart defensively.

Nebraska opened up the Hoosiers' zone, thanks to Petteway's 13 second-half points and a 6-of-11 team performance from behind the 3-point line. IU compounded its problems with 19 total turnovers.

Ferrell scored 11 points in the first half but just three in the second, all on a late 3-pointer, with Indiana chasing a game almost lost.

LINCOLN, NE - JANUARY 30: Will Sheehey #0 of the Indiana Hoosiers and Terran Petteway #5 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers fight for a rebound during a game at Pinnacle Bank Arena on January 30, 2014 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Eric Francis/Getty Images) Eric Francis Getty Images

LINCOLN, NE - JANUARY 30: Will Sheehey #0 of the Indiana Hoosiers and David Rivers #2 and Terran Petteway #5 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers battle for a loose ball during a game at Pinnacle Bank Arena on January 30, 2014 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Eric Francis/Getty Images) Eric Francis Getty Images

LINCOLN, NE - JANUARY 30: Shavon Shields #31 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers is defended by Will Sheehey #0 of the Indiana Hoosiers during a game at Pinnacle Bank Arena on January 30, 2014 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Eric Francis/Getty Images) Eric Francis Getty Images

LINCOLN, NE - JANUARY 30: Terran Petteway #5 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers drives to the basket into Stanford Robinson #22 of the Indiana Hoosiers during a game at Pinnacle Bank Arena on January 30, 2014 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Eric Francis/Getty Images) Eric Francis Getty Images

Like this topic? You may also like these photo galleries:

Noah Vonleh, perhaps the Big Ten's best freshman, finished with just seven points and five turnovers. Indiana's stud forward couldn't shake loose of double teams all evening, and he attempted just five shots.

"He wasn't as emphatic and decisive with the ball as he needed to be," Crean said. "He got the ball, but it just is one of those nights."

At one point, Ferrell turned to Vonleh in the midst of Nebraska's second-half run at the lead, and said, "Hey, we're OK." He wanted to settle down his freshman big man and his team.

For the more important 20 minutes of a 40-minute game Thursday night, nothing Ferrell did, nothing Crean did and nothing Indiana did managed that.

"Once they hit a couple shots and got on a run, we got down," Ferrell said, "and just never stayed in the game."